Power steering apparatus of the hydraulic type having a valve with unequal reaction areas



Aug. 7, 1956 s a. Aaaclimu--F- 2,757,748

POWER STEERING APPARATUS OE THE HSRAULTC TYPE HAVING A VALVE WITH UNEQUAL REACTION AREAS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 5. 1952 Aug. 7, 1956 s. l. MaoDUFF 2,757,748-

` POWER STEERING APPARATUS OE THE HYDRAULIC TYPE HAVING A VALVE WITH UNEQUAL REACTION AREAS' Filed Jan. 5. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arrow/5) Standard automotive practice.

United States Patent Oce 2,757,748 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 POWER STEERING APPARATUS F THE HY- DRAULIC TYPE HAVING A VALVE UNEQUAL REACTION Stanley I. MacDuif, South Bend, Ind., assigner `to Bendix 'Aviation Corporation South Bend, Ind a corporation of Delaware i Application January 3, .1952, Serial No. 264,314 '.14 Claims- (Cl- 180--792 This invention concerns hydraulic power steering for vehicles.

lt is an object of the invention to provide .novel valve means for .use in a power steering system .or other servomechanism.

Another o'bject resides in the provision of a control valve in which two val-ve members, each movable with respect to the other, are opposed from vmovement yaway from a neutral position `by hydraulic reaction means including unequal reaction areas associated with said .members and acted `upon by a variable pressure.

A still further object resides in the provision of a convtrol .valve .in which .two valve members, each .movable with `respect to the other, are opposed from movement away from a .neutral position by variable .pressure .cham- 'ber means embracing movable walls .of diiferent effective .areas movable with one of said members.

Another important object resides in the .provision .of a Acontrol valve .in .which .two valve members, each movable with respect to the `other, are opposed from moyement away from neutral by hydraulic reaction .means including two pressure chambers, one :located at each .end of one Aof lthe valvemembers and having movable .walls vof Iunequal reaction areas associated .with one 4of .said memfbers.

A further object of the invention .resides in the provision of a steering mechanism comprising .a control valve and a Auid motor having a predetermined relationship .between Ithe parts thereof so as `torequirelthe same amount -of .driver .eiort to overcome a given resistance -to :the wheels regardless .of the position of the wheels.

A -still `further object Aof .the invention 'is .to provide a fluid motor with a piston therein ,whose areas at .the opposite ends are .unequal but-*which :bear `the same area relationship respectively to unequal areas .at :the .endsof avalve member :located lin a control valve :for controlling ow to the vfluid motor.

The above andother objects .and .featuresof the `:inven- -tion will be apparent from .the .followingdescription .of vthe apparatus taken `in connection .with .the accompanying; drawings which yform .apart of `this specification, and .in which:

yFigure l is aschematic.llustrationofthe.steering.ap- -paratus incorporating the novel invention;

Figure 2 is -a `view .in sectionof the .novel valve .used in the steering apparatus; and

Figure 3 is a view in section of ,a.modied;form.of valve.

:With `reference to the accompanying drawings, .atvehicle :frame `is illustrated at f1.2 and is :provided with litigi- -ble .wheels and steering .mechanism,in-accordance 'th .The vchassis .f1.2 is neri .on dirigible wheels t14,.,0nly;0n;0f Whhfs ShOWD- me .vehicle Lis provided wit-h the 415.112,11 .steering link-age corn- .prising a cross `tie .rod 16,- sideilinks;1,8,o ingftheftie .rodito Steeringarms, ontymnetof .Vibio-h -1 .ewan .wheel `spindle 22, ,integrally .related to ythe isteeringterth -and a yking pin :24, ..carried thy i.the wheeltsninsile tfer :piv-

2 otally supporting the dirigible wheel or steered part 14. One end of the cross tie rod i6 is supported on the chassis by an idler lever 26, and the other end of the tie rod is supported from a pitman arm 28, drivably'related to a steeringcolumn and wheel not disclosed herein, for manually steering the vehicle.

A control valve 30 is interposed in the linkage between the cross tie rod i6 and the pitman arm 28, for controlling the ilow of uid under pressure to a fluid motor 32. 'The Huid motor 32 embraces a piston 34 and a cylinderelernent 36, the former of which divides the tluid motor into opposed chambers 37 and 38. The piston element 34 is connected to the chassis through rod 39, link 40, and bolt di, thus permitting the motor yto swing about bolt 41. The cylinder element 36 is attached to the cross .tie rod 16 by any suitable means, such as bracket 42. The cylinder element 36 is connected to the bracket 42 by a bolt gid, which passes through the bracket so as to provide an articulated connection between the bracket and cylinder element. Conduit connections 46 and 4S provide for the transfer of fluid under pressure from the control A.valve tothe opposed chambers 37 and 38 of the uid motor.

The control .valve 30 comprises a housing 47, provided with a vbore 49, having a valve member 50 therein, slidably Apositionable in opposite directions from a normally neutral position, shown in Figure 2, for controlling flow to .the fluid motor 32. The term neutral position where `used in the specification in connection with the .valve member refers to the position of 4the valve member dur- .ing nonsteering. The valve member Sii and cylinder v-bore 49 are formed with annular channels 52, 54, 56, 56, and 60. The channels 5d and 5S, located in valve member Sti, are of such width that free communication F between .the channel 56 and the channels l5,4 and 58 lis established .with the `valve member in its neutral position. The channels 52 and 6G are in communication with Ainlet vport 6i v.via passages 62. The channels 54 -and 58 are connected .to working ports 64, and the channel .S6 is connected vto a reservoir port 66. The valve member 50 comprises a mid section .68, and end sections fl and :'72 held in assembled relationship by ,a bolt 74.

Bushings 76 and 73 are located in opposite endsof .the=hot1sing i6 .for slidably receiving end sections 70 and "'72 respectively. The bushing 76 has its inner end abutting aA shoulder S0 formed in .the bore 49, and its 4outer 4.end held against a split washer 82 retained in a groove 18,4, of the housing bore. The left end of the bore .49 is closed by a hat-,shaped cover 86 having its brim interposed betweenthe bushing 76 and the split washer 842. A seali prevents leakage to atmosphere-from between ,thefbushing 76 Aand the housingd7. A.V-shaped packing Arings) is received in groove 92 and wipes the interior of .the bushing 17,6. This packing ringtl prevents leakage .betweenlthle parts 7l) and 76. The reservoir port l656 is 4e0,ammi; nicatedto l.the innerside of the V-shaped packing ringzyiaphavssage located in the end section v70, annular l.passage ,9,6, and radial passage 98, to thereby provide lubrication for the end section 7i? of the valvemember landga leakage return path to the reservoir. The bushing .7,8 lis 4held against ,shoulder lili), formed in the bore fig, by an externalcap .102 which threadedly engages the housing ...47. i The -housing is provided with an ,extension inr` the .form of a tube iti-i having a hanged andlli turned outwardly to permit interposing the same between the .cap 102. and the bushing 73. Bushing 73, like bush- 776,.isequipped lwith a seal M58 lto prevent leakage to,atmosphere Section 72 is also provided with a vV- l,shaped lpacking `ring llltl .which wipes the interior of ,the-,bushing v7.8 and prevents leakage between parts 72 3 ring 110, which is carried in a groove 112 of the end section 72, is communicated to the reservoir port 66 via the passage 113, the annular passage 96, and the radial passage 98. The right end of the bolt 74 is formed with an enlarged head 114 for engagement with an end 116 of a sleeve 11S, slidably disposed in the tubular extension 104. The sleeve 118 is capable of sliding in the housing between the end of the bushing 78 and a shoulder 120 formed in the tube 104. The bolt 74 ties the sections 68, 70 and 72, and the sleeve 118 together for movement as a single member. The tube 104 and the sleeve 118 are provided with lateral openings for the reception of a ball stud 122, one end of which is connected to the pitman arm 28. The other end of the ball stud is formed with a rounded portion 124 which is carried in sockets 126 and 128 of members 130 and 132, respectively, located in the sleeve 118. A plug 134 urges the member 132 against members 122 and 130, which in turn preloads spring 136. The spring 136 is interposed between the end 116 of the sleeve 118 and the member 130. The spring 136 is sufficiently heavy to provide a relatively rigid connection between the valve member 50 and the manual steering means, only part of which is shown, which includes the pitman arm 28. As parts 122, 130 and 132 become worn the spring 136 expands an amount equal to the total wear of the parts. The cross tie rod 16 threadedly engages the end of the tubular member 104.

In the power steering apparatus herein disclosed the control valve and the fluid motor are so constructed and interrelated as to permit a vehicle to be steered in all directions with the same driver effort for a given wheel resistance. Chambers 140 and 142 are located at the ends of the valve member 50 between the latter and the housing 47. Unequal areas 144 and 146 are exposed to the chambers 140 and 142, respectively, and form movable walls thereof. The unequal areas 144 and 146 have a definite relationship to the areas 148 and 150, respectively, disposed at opposite ends of the piston or movable member 34. Communication is established between the chamber 38 of the fluid motor, having the larger of the unequal areas of the movable member exposed thereto, and the chamber 140 of the control valve, having the larger of the unequal areas of the valve member exposed thereto, via passage 149, annular channel S4, left hand working port 64 and the connection 46. Communication is established between the chamber 37 of the fluid motor, having the smaller of the unequal areas of the movable member exposed thereto, and the chamber 142 of the control valve, having the smaller of the unequal areas of the valve member exposed thereto, via the passage 151, annular channel 53, right hand working port 64 and the connection 4S. The larger areas 144 and 148, exposed to the chambers 140 and 38, respectively, are in the same ratio with respect to each other as the smaller areas 146 and 150, exposed to the chambers 142 and 37, are to each other. It should be noted, however, that the ratios of the large and small areas may not always be the same. Moreover, under certain circumstances, depending upon the nature of the unbalance of forces in the steering geometry of the vehicle, the relationship shown in the drawings between the reaction areas of the valve to the piston areas may even be reversed.

Furthermore, since the areas 144 and 146 formed in the ends of the valve member have a definite relationship to the areas 148 and 150 formed in the ends of the piston, the valve reaction or steering elort required will have a direct relationship to the turning force applied to the wheels by the piston.

Figure 3 is a modified form of the control valve of Figure 2. The principal difference between the control valves resides in the construction and arrangement of the chambers disposed at the ends of the valve member. In describing Figure 3, all parts having functions similar to like parts in Figures 1 and 2 are given identical designating numbers with the addition of a prime Fluid from a reservoir 152 is pressurized by a pump 154, the latter of which is connected to an inlet port or passage of the control valve 157. The control valve communicates with the reservoir 152 by way of channel 56', port 66', passage 158 and pipeline 160. The working ports 64 of the control valve communicate with opposite ends of the fluid motor 166 via connections 168 and 170. The fluid motor 166 may be connected to the steering linkage of Figure 2 in any suitable manner, such as shown. An annular chamber .172, located at the right end of valve member 174, is connected to chamber 175, located in the right end of the fluid motor 166, through passage 151' and connection 170. Chamber 178, located at the lett end of the valve member 174, is in communication with chamber 130, located on the left end of the fluid motor, through passage 149 and connection 168. The difference between this valve and the one of Figure 2 is actually one of degree only. For example, chamber 178, located at the left end of the valve member 174, utilizes the entire end of the valve member as a pressure or reaction area and not just an annulus. However, the area of the left end of the valve member 174 is in a definite ratio to the area of the left end of the piston of the fluid motor 166. Also the area of the right end of the valve member 174 bears the same area relationship to the right end of the piston of the fluid motor 166. Functionally, the control valve of Figure 2 is identical with the valve of Figure 3 and is interchangeable therewith. In any event, regardless of which valve is to be used, the selection of the ratio of the areas is determined by the amount of effort believed desirable to overcome a predetermined wheel resistance. This, of course, is very iiexible and can be made anything desired by varying the relationship of the areas as aforementioned.

Operation and function of the steering apparatus, using Figures l and 2 for the purposes of description, is as follows:

With the control valve in its neutral position, fluid under pressure from the source divides between inlet ports 62, from which the fluid flows to the reservoir port 66 by way of the annular channels 54 and 58, during periods of nonsteering. During this period fluid pressure is also acting in the ends of the uid motor 32. Because of the unequal areas 144 and 146 at the ends of the valve member which are exposed to chambers and 142, respectively, there is a tendency for the valve member to shift to the right due to this unbalanced condition. However, in actual practice the valve member rests in a neutral position and in a balanced state, since the fluid under pressure admitted to the end of the member with the greater area moves the valve in a direction to cut off the pressure to that end of the valve member and at the same time opening the opposite end of the valve member to a greater pressure. Obviously at this time there is a smaller pressure of a predetermined value acting on a greater area at one end of the valve member and a greater pressure of a predetermined value acting on a smaller area at the opposite end of the valve member, to thereby maintain the valve member in hydraulic balance. Since the areas on either side of the piston are in the same ratio to their corresponding areas of the valve member, the same balanced condition exists in the fluid motor.

Movement of the valve member 50 from its neutral position reduces flow to one of the working ports 64 and increases flow in the other working port. For example, movement of the valve member to the right, in Figure 2, restricts ow to the annular channel 54 and to working port 64, on the left, and increases tlow to the annular channel 58 and hence to the working port 64, on the right. This action of the valve connects the chamber 37 of the fluid motor to the increased flow through the overlapping space between the channels 58 and 60 and the chamber 38 of the fluid motor is connected to the reservoir via the Overlapping space between the Yannular :channels :5,4 aand v :56, .thus acausing movement of the tsteered .-part. `With both the-:housing 46 .of .the Acontrol 'valve VYand .the .cylinder .35 .of .the fluidmotor Vbeing .connected tothe cross ,tie rod 1:6.,'movement of the steered partewill reposition the valve iinfitsneutral position, hence a steering apparatus of the 1:follow-.up ltype vis provided.

Movement of the valve member .5.0 to the right, as aforementioned, subjects vthe chamber `142 .-to a `greater pressure because the overlap vbetweenthe annular chan- -ne1ls .5.8 andro@ is increased, and reduces the pressure in -t'hecharnber 1.40 since the ,overlap between the .chambers l2;a11d'5-^ is reduced. Obviously, .eachfof .the chambers :1;40 and 2142 .located at .the respectiveends ofthe vvalve rmemher -will have a force developed'therein which acts onthe end of the valve member. The magnitude of the forceivvill ...depend ,on .the area .of the valve member ex- ;posed :to .the chamber and lthe .pressure in the chamber. The/.differential .of these :forces kexisting in the two cham- :bersgis .utilized to restore the valve to its neutral position.

tlf `the yvalvemember isnot permitted tomove, the reaction] .force is transmitted :into the ihousing member where vit iis .combined with theforce applied yto ythe tie rod through -the action of .the duid motor .to steer the vehicle. The .diferential force which is .imparted to the valve .member is felt by the operator of the vehicle and is commonly L.termed feel This reaction or feel which is trans- ;m'itted to the driverof the vehicle .gives the driver a sense of .effort yrequired 'for steering and maybe varied by 4changingthe effective areas of theends of the valve mem ber, while at the same time maintaining the most desirable :ratiosbetween thoseareas. .In actualpractice the steering -geometry .o-r steering linkage dictates Vto some extent the relationship of the areas. The particular arrangements `shown are illustrative only.

Although this invention has been described in connec- -tion `.vvithcertainspecific embodiments, :the principles are vsusceptible of numerous other applications that will readily `occur to-persons skilled in the art.

Having thusfdescribed vthe'vario-us features of the invention, Iwhat I claim as new and-desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

l. A valve for a servomotor vcomprising fa movable lvalve member arranged in a housing :in a yposition of hydraulic balance from `which said 4memberis shiftable ineither direction for controlling iiow, an inletport, an foutlet port, two VWorking ports, said 'valve member being `constructed land arranged so -that when the valve is in hydraulic balance predetermined 1flow-s are established fbetween Athe inlet'and outlet ports via the working ports, opposed chambers formed'in the ends of the V'housing with fthe latter and the valve member forming movable walls having opposed faces, passages in the valve member connecting the opposed `chambers to the two working ports, the opposed faces of lthe movable `-wa`lls -of one of the chambers being of greater effective area than the corre- Aspondingfaces of the movable walls of the other chamber, movement of said valve member out of its position of hydraulic"balance creating diiferential pressures in the two working ports, which diierential `in pressures is 'transmitted to the respective chambers', and means for moving the valvememberout of its position of hydraulicbalance.

2. A .valve .of the character described comprising a "housing with a valve member thereinhaving a position of v hydraulic .balance fromwhich it is movable, .an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, said valve member being so constructed and arranged that when the valve is in 4hydraulic balance predetermined flows are established between the yinlet and outlet ports via the Working ports, v.opposed chambers located at each end .of the valve mem- .'her, a .connection from each chamber to one of .the .working ports, each Nof said ,chambers being formed .With op,- .posed faces provided by .the housing and valve member respectively, the yopposed faces r,in one of .the chambers being .of .greater .etective .area the corresponding faces @in .the otherchambeomovementtof said valve member `from its position :of .hydraulic .balance .nreating differential pressures yinthe two working ports, said `differential pressures being ttr'ansmitted .to said .chambers where a -force is developed irl-one -of the chambers yproportional.to .the differential .in pressure and .tending .to .restore :the valve :to saidpositiotlofhydraulic balance, andmeans for mov- ;,ing vthe valve memberaway from .its position .of hydraulic zbalance.

3. A valve comprising .two-.telescopically arranged relatively movable .members rvhaving normallyl .neutral .posiftions .of hydraulic .balance with respeot :to each other, one `of said members being shifltable in .either vdirection from `said neutral .position for .controlling llowr, an inlet port, outlet port, vtwo working ports, .said members being .so constructed and arra-nged-thatwhen .the valvezisin neutral position predetermined flows .are established .between the .inlet and outletports via the workingports, itvvoehambers, one located at each rend of .one Yof said members, said `chambers being formed with .opposed .faces provided by each of said memberstheielective areas of the xfaces Aprovided'byoneof said members .being unequal, .movement .of said 4.one member f rQm :its neutral :position creating differential pressures in the two .working ports, said ferential pressures being transmitted to said chambers .Where a force is fdevelopedin-one of saidchambers ,proportional to the differential in pressure and dending `to restore said valve .to xits fneutral position, and means for moving .said .one member .away .from .its neutral position.

4. vA .valve comprising -a pair of slidingly telescoped .inner -and outer .cylindrical valve -members .having normally neutral positions with respect to .each other, vone `of said members .being shiftable ,in .opposite :directions from .its lneutral ,position .for controlling ow, an inlet port, an .outlet .port and ftwo working ports, said valve members lhaving `formed in .the :cylindrical .sur-faces .thereof channels .communicating with the .respective ports .and lestablishing communication therebetween `wthen said valve .member-s .are -in their y-neutral position, means .defining fluid pressure .chambers at .opposite -ends .of the .inner Zvalve member, lone .of said chambers having walls .of greater .effective area vthan 'the other .of said chambers, 'the `innervalve member being formed with passages `Gom- -municating-saidchambers with the working ports, Lmovement of said one valvemember from its neutral position .creating -.differential pressures fin .the working v:ports vvand `in -said chambers .where a force .is developed .in one .of :said chambers proportional -to thediiferential in `lpressure and tending to restore said one member to ,its `neutral position, and means for moving s aid .one valve .member yfrom Aits neutral position, lthe force .developed .in said -one .of said chambers .having .its ,reaction taken by `said last-named means.

5. A valve comprising ,a housing member -with .a .bone therein, la valve member in the bore, said .members .having ,normally neutral positions `with respect .to Aeach other, an inlet port, `two working ports, .anoutlet port, channels in therbore and valve member establishing communication with all of saidports A.when said .members `are Aina .neutral position, said vmembers 'being relatively movable ,from =said .neutral position for .controlling how, .chamber .means in .the housing member, said chamber .means .including @movable walls lof .unequal .effective .areas .associated fwith one of said members, passage means .connecting :said lchamber means withsaid inlet port, and Ymeansconnected .to .one of said members v4for establishing .relative movetmentof said members from .their neutral position, relative .movement of said members vfrom A.their neutral posi- :tion creating a .pressure in .said .chamber 1means acting on .one or .the other :of said .areas .tending ,to ,restore .the

- members to their neutral position.

6. A power steering mechanism for a vehicle having .a steering wheel and a steering linkage., comprising a luid kpressure motor .provided housing ,and piston .ele-

ments, one being connected to tbe vehicle, and the other being connected to said steering linkage, a follow-up control valve for said motor including a pair of valve members, one being connected for operation by the steering wheel, two working ports in the valve, fluid connections between the working ports and motor, and chamber means provided by the valve members, passage means connecting said chamber means to the two working ports, said chamber means comprising movable walls of unequal effective areas movable by one of said members and subject to a variable pressure upon motor energizing relative movement of said valve members for creating a force proportional to the force applied to the steering linkage and acting through said one valve member opposing movement by the steering wheel, said movable walls of unequal effective areas being operatively connected to the steering linkage and to the steering wheel in such manner and relationship that substantially equal steering effort is required at the wheel for a given angular movement thereof in either direction from straight ahead position of the vehicle regardless of unbalanced forces acting through the steering linkage.

7. A power steering mechanism for a vehicle having a steering wheel and a steering linkage, comprising a fluid pressure motor provided with housing and piston elements, one being connected to the vehicle, and the other being connected to said steering linkage, a followup control valve for said motor including a pair of valve members, one being connected for operation by the steering wheel, two working ports in the valve, fluid connections between the two working ports and motor, and fluid pressure reaction means provided by the valve members, passage means communicating the two working ports with said reaction means, said reaction means embracing movable walls of unequal effective areas carried by said valve members and subject to a variable pressure upon motor energizing relative movement of said valve members for creating a force opposing movement of said one valve member by the steering wheel, said movable walls of unequal effective areas being operatively connected to the steering linkage and to the steering wheel in such manner and relationship that substantially equal steering effort is required at the wheel for a given angular movement thereof in either direction from straight ahead position of the vehicle regardless of unbalanced forces acting through the steering linkage.

8. A follow-up valve comprising a housing member with a bore therein, a valve member in the bore, an inlet port, two working ports, an outlet port, said members being arranged in a neutral position from which they are relatively movable for controlling flow, channels in the bore and valvemember establishing communication with all the ports when said members are in neutral, hydraulic reaction means formed by said members and subject to a pressure which varies upon relative movement of said members from neutral passage means in one of the members communicating the two working ports with the hydraulic reaction means, said reaction means embracing movable walls of unequal effective areas carried by one of said members, and operator operated means connected to one of said members for moving the same from neutral, movement of said one member from neutral being opposed by said variable pressure acting on one or the other of said areas depending upon the direction of movement of said members with respect to each other,

9. A valve comprising a body member, a bore in the body member, a movable valve member normally substantially hydraulically balanced in the bore, an inlet port, two working ports, an outlet port, channels in the bore and valve member communicating with all said ports when said members are in hydraulic balance, means located in said members tending to maintain said valve member in hydraulic balance in said bore and creating unequal pressures at the working ports, said means including chamber means having movable walls of unequal effective areas carried by said members and acted upon by pressure existing in said chamber means, means in one of said members communicating the two working ports te the chamber means, the pressure in said chamber means varying with movement of said valve member from hydraulic balance, and operator operated means for moving said valve member out of hydraulic balance and subject to pressure acting on said unequal areas.

l0, A valve comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged members having normally neutral positions with respect to each other, one of said members being shiftable in either direction from its neutral position for controlling flow, an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, channels in the members communicating with the respective ports and establishing communication therebetween, two chambers, one located at each end of said inner member, the channels in the inner member being provided by a plurality of lands, one located at each end of said inner member adjacent the respective chambers and forming movable walls therefor, the effective area of the movable wall for one chamber beeing greater than that of the movable wall for the other chamber, passages in the lands forming the movable walls, said passages connecting the chambers to the channels appearing in the inner member, and means for moving said one member from its neutral position.

ll. A valve comprising inner and outci telescopically arranged members having normally neutral positions with respect to each other, one of said members being shiftable in either direction from its neutral position for controlling flow, an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, channels in the members communicating with the respective ports and establishing communication there between, two chambers, one located at each end of said inner member, the channels in the inner member being provided by a plurality of lands, one located at each end of said inner member adjacent the respective chambers and forming movable walls therefor, the effective area of the movable wall for one chamber being greater than that of the movable wall for the other chamber, said plurality of lands forming two channels communicating with the two working ports, passages iu the lands forming the movable walls, said passages connecting the chambers to the two channels respectively, and means for moving said one member from its neutral position.

l2. For use in cooperation with a vehicle steering linkage having a member movable in opposite directions from a central position to effect turning of the vehicle to one side or the other: mechanism for applying operating force to said steering linkage comprising a fluid pressure motor having a cylinder and piston, one of which is connected to the vehicle body and the other of which is connected to the movable steering member, the cylinder and piston having a central position from which they are relatively movable in either direction by pressure fluid admitted to one side 0r the other of the piston for the purpose of urging the movable steering member in one direction or the other, the effective pressure responsive area of the piston being greater on one side than on the other; and a valve device comprising a housing member connected to and moved by the movable steering member, and a manually operated valve element in the housing member movable relative thereto in one direction to cause pressure fluid to act on one side of the piston and in the other direction to cause pressure fluid to act on the other side of the piston, said housing member having an inlet port, an outlet port and two working ports, said working ports being in communication respectively with the opposite ends of the cylinder, the housing member and valve element being so formed as to provide intercommunication of all of said ports when the valve element is in its neutral position and to cause an increase in the pressure at one working port when the valve element is moved in one direction and an increase in the pressure at the other working port when the valve is moved in the other direction, said valve element having two pressure responsive reaction surfaces which have unequal e'ective areas and each of which when subjected to increased pressure increasingly urges the valve element toward neutral position, with a force equal to the reaction force being transmitted by the housing member to the movable steering member to assist in steering the vehicle, the larger valve reaction surface being acted on by the same pressure as that acting on the larger area of the piston and the smaller valve reaction surface being acted on by the same pressure as that acting on the smaller area of the piston, the ratio of the effective areas of the valve reaction surfaces being such with respect to the geometry of the steering linkage that a given amount of manual effort will be required to overcome a predetermined steering resistance regardless of which direction from neutral the movable member is being operated.

13. For use in cooperation with vehicle steering linkage having a member movable in opposite directions from a central position to effect turning of the vehicle to one side or the other: mechanism for applying operating force to said steering linkage comprising a liuid pressure motor having a cylinder and piston, one of which is connected to the vehicle and the other of which is connected to the movable steering member, the cylinder and piston having a central position from which they are relatively movable in either direction by pressure fluid admitted to one side or the other of the piston for the purpose of urging the movable steering member in one direction or the other; a valve device comprising a housing member connected to and moved by the movable steering member, and a manually operated valve element in the housing member movable relative thereto in one direction to cause pressure uid to act on one side of the piston and in the other direction to cause pressure uid to act on the other side of the piston, said housing member having an inlet port, an outlet port and two working ports, said working ports being in communication respectively with the opposite ends of the cylinder, the housing member and valve element having interconnecting channels and passages so as to provide communication between all of the ports when the valve element is in its neutral position and to cause an increase in the pressure at one working port when the valve element is moved in one direction and an increase in pressure at the other working port when the valve element is moved in the other direction, said valve element having two pressure responsive reaction surfaces which have unequal effective areas and each of which when subjected to increased pressure increasingly urges the valve element toward neutral position with a force equal to the reaction force being transmitted by the housing member to the movable steering member to assist in steering the vehicle, and stops associated with the Valve device to be engaged after movement of the valve element a predetermined amount in either direction from neutral to permit manual movement of said movable member, the ratio of the effective areas of the valve reaction surfaces being such with respect to the geometry of the steering linkage that a given amount of manual eiort will be required to overcome a predetermined steering resistance regardless of which direction from neutral the movable member is being operated.

14. A valve comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged members having normally neutral positions with respect to each other, one of said members being shiftable in either direction from its neutral position for controlling ow, an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, channels in the members communicating with the respective ports and establishing communication therebetween when said members are in neutral, two chambers, one located at each end of said inner member, the channels in the inner member being provided by a plurality of lands, one located at each end of said inner member adjacent the respective chambers and forming movable walls therefore, the effective area of the movable wall for one chamber being greater than that of the movable wall for the other chamber, passages connecting the chambers to the channels appearing in one of the members, and means for moving said one member from its neutral position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,766,510 Gregory June 24, 1930 1,830,636 Bragg et al Nov. 3, 1931 2,140,095 Theed Dec. 13, 1938 2,307,910 Baade Jan. 12, 1943 2,345,531 Ganahl Mar. 28, 1944 2,370,137 Biggert Feb. 27, 1945 2,380,705 Proctor July 31, 1945 2,596,242 Hill May 13, 1952 2,598,180 Kenyon May 27, 1952 2,608,263 Garrison Aug. 26, 1952 2,617,257 Douglas Nov. 1l, 1952 2,627,847 Clark et al. Feb. 10, 1953 2,655,939 Tauscher Oct. 20, 1953 

